TV Talk: In the Dark, Warrior, Unspeakable, Killing Eve, and More!
Series Premieres
In the Dark (CW)
Blind 20-something Murphy is drifting through life in a haze of drunkenness, and her only friends are her understanding roommate Jess and Tyson, a sweet teenager she met when he saved her from a violent mugging. Murphy’s life is turned upside down when, while out for a walk with her guide dog, she stumbles upon what she is certain is Tyson’s lifeless body in the alley outside her apartment. When the body disappears by the time the police arrive, and they don’t seem inclined to investigate, Murphy clings onto the only thing that can keep her together: figuring out what happened to her friend.
Unspeakable (Sundance)
Based on the books “Bad Blood” by Vic Parsons and “The Gift” by Andre Picard, “Unspeakable” chronicles the early emergence of HIV and hepatitis C in Canada in the 1980s. It documents the tragedy that resulted in thousands of people who were infected by tainted blood. The blood scandal is one of the largest medical disasters in Canada’s history, and it went on to trigger a federal inquiry and landmark lawsuit which resulted in billions of dollars being awarded to the victims. Robert C. Cooper was a victim of this and contracted hepatitis C from tainted blood.
Warrior (Cinemax)
A crime drama that takes place in the latter half of the 19th century during brutal gang wars in San Francisco’s Chinatown, it follows martial arts prodigy Ah Sahm, a Chinese immigrant who arrives in the City of Lights under mysterious circumstances. Once he proves his prowess as a fighter, Sahm becomes a hit man for one of Chinatown’s most powerful organized crime families. As he is mentored by the son of the crime family’s leader, learning the ins and outs of gang warfare, Al Sahm wins the confidence of brothel madam Ah Toy, eventually revealing to her his true intentions. “Warrior” is based on the writings of martial arts legend Bruce Lee and features a largely Asian cast.
Season Premieres
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (Netflix)
This adaptation of the “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” tale is a dark coming-of-age story that traffics in horror and the occult. In the reimagined origin story, Sabrina Spellman wrestles to reconcile her dual nature — half-witch, half-mortal — while standing against the evil forces that threaten her, her family — including aunts Hilda and Zelda — and the daylight world humans inhabit. Kiernan Shipka (“Mad Men”) leads the cast in the titular role of the show that is based on a comic series of the same name.
The Tick (Amazon)
In a world where superheroes and villains have been real for decades, Arthur, an unassuming accountant with no superpowers, becomes embroiled in the middle of the battle between good and evil. When he realizes that his city is owned by a global supervillain who was long thought to be dead, he struggles to uncover the conspiracy. As he becomes obsessed with the conspiracy, most people think he’s crazy. One person who believes Arthur is a mysterious new ally, The Tick, who is a bizarre blue superhero who may just be a figment of Arthur’s imagination.
Killing Eve (AMC/BBC America)
Eve’s life as a spy is not adding up to what she had hoped it would be when she started. She is a bored, very smart, MI5 security officer who is very desk-bound. Villanelle is a very talented killer, mercurial in mood, who clings to the luxuries of her job. Eve and Villanelle go head to head in a fierce game of cat and mouse, each woman equally obsessed with the other as Eve is tasked with hunting down the psychopathic assassin. Sarah Barnett, BBCA president, says, ” `Killing Eve’ stands out in a sea of scripted stories as refreshingly entertaining and great fun.”